Sciatica is a leading cause of disabling lower back pain and a common reason why patients seek chiropractic care at True Balance Chiropractic & Physical Therapy. Our Mansfield, TX, chiropractor will pinpoint the exact cause by doing a thorough diagnostic evaluation. Following are the answers to several questions we frequently receive regarding
What are the Common Causes of Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve branches from the lower back and extend through the hips, buttocks, and legs to the feet. The nerves are highly sensitive and can get irritated or inflamed due to pressure from a herniated disc. Other causes are linked to worn spinal discs, injury, trauma, or nerve compression. Nerve compression is often related to one of the following conditions:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Osteoarthritis (spinal joint inflammation)
- Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
- Spondylolisthesis (a vertebra slips forward and pinches the sciatic nerve)
- The buttock muscle touching the nerve (Piriformis syndrome)
- Pregnancy, obesity, or heavy lifting
What are the Symptoms of Sciatic Nerve Pain?
A hallmark symptom of the condition is sharp, burning, or stinging lower back pain that radiates along the path of the affected nerve. Typically, only the nerve on one side of the lower body is affected. The condition may also trigger the following other symptoms:
- Leg pain (back of the thigh or calf)
- Leg feels heavy or weak
- Numbness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles sensation
- Pain is persistent, intermittent, or gets worse or better when you change positions
What is Chiropractic Care for Sciatica?
Applying a heat pack to the lower back region, pelvic exercises, or lying on your side with a pillow between your legs may provide relief. However, chiropractic care is a more effective and long-term pain relief solution. Our primary treatments are lumbar spinal adjustment and spinal decompression. There are no drugs or surgical procedures involved.
Our chiropractor will mobilize the spinal joints and bones into alignment as a way of taking pressure off the disc and sciatic nerve. This alleviates pain and inflammation, improves mobility, and helps the nerve heal. Spinal decompression therapy is an advanced, FDA-approved pain-relief technique that takes the pressure off the disc and nerve by gradually stretching the spine. To optimize the results, we may encourage you to do corrective exercises, avoid certain activities, and maintain a healthy diet.
Our Chiropractor Can Help You Get Moving Again!
Call True Balance Chiropractic & Physical Therapy today at (682) 518-6263 for more information on sciatic nerve pain treatment or to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.
